Wisconsin Affiliate, American Civil Liberties Union
UW Milwaukee Police Conduct Report Leaves Unanswered Questions, Says ACLU of WI
Thursday August 26, 2010
On March 4th, students at the UW-Milwaukee campus gathered to rally over the increase of tuition rates. When they took their message to the University's administration building, police and protesters had a confrontation and students were arrested and ticketed. The ACLU of WI called for an investigation to review the use of force by campus police against protesters. However, the partial release of a report on police conduct by law enforcement experts and the Vice Chancellor leaves questions unanswered. “We recognize that officers have a great deal of responsibility and work in often difficult circumstances," said Executive Director Chris Ahmuty. "Difficult circumstances do not diminish their responsibility to use constitutional police methods.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/26/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Partial Release of Report on UW Milwaukee Police Actions During March 4th Incident
Hiring: Development Director – Help us Fight for What’s Right!
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation seeks an experienced leader to serve as our Development Director with primary responsibility for securing increased and sustainable resources to help us defend civil liberties and civil rights. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled, which will not be before July 20, 2010. The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.
Position Description: ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation Development Director (PDF)
ACLU of WI Wins Lawsuit Over Deficient Health are in WI Women’s Prisons
Thursday August 20, 2010
The ACLU of Wisconsin has filed papers seeking court approval of an agreement to settle a longstanding class-action lawsuit charging that grossly deficient medical and mental health care jeopardized the lives of female prisoners at the state’s largest women’s prison. As part of the agreement, state officials have agreed to implement a number of significant structural improvements aimed at ensuring that female prisoners receive the same levels of mental health care as the state’s male prisoners. “Today’s settlement is a real victory for all female prisoners at TCI who will no longer have to suffer needlessly in a system that fails to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Constitution,” said Gabriel Eber, staff attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project. “This settlement will lead to dramatic improvements in the quality of health care prisoners will receive.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/20/2010 - ACLU Settles Lawsuit Charging Inadequate Care at Wisconsin Women’s Prison
ACLU of WI Will Support State’s Domestic Partner Registry
Friday August 20, 2010
The ACLU of Wisconsin will continue its work to ensure that same-sex couples maintain the basic protections provided in the state’s new domestic partnership registry. “We expected a challenge to the registry in a lower court,” said Chris Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin’s executive director. “We’re fully prepared to help defend the state’s registry so that same-sex couples in Wisconsin can have access to the basic, although limited, legal rights their families need. While the Wisconsin Family Action and the Alliance Defense Fund will attempt to compare the domestic partnership registry to the legal definition of marriage, same-sex couples will seek to demonstrate a factual record of how the protections offered by the registry are quite limited and in no way violate the marriage ban.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/20/2010 - ACLU of WI Will Support State’s Domestic Partner Registry: Same-sex Couples Will Show Registry is Not Marriage (PDF)
ACLU of Wisconsin introduces Milwaukee and Madison bust cards with local resources
The ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation works to educate individuals about their rights with police and what to do if they feel they have been racially profiled. New local bust cards are pocket references on what to do when encountering police. These cards now feature information on Milwaukee and Madison resources for people to get help in filing police complaints. More bust cards will be issued soon for other areas of the state. For more information on getting a bust card made for your region or to schedule a Know Your Rights workshop in your area, contact Emilo De Torre at (414) 272-4032 x 23.
Bust card with local contacts for Milwaukee (PDF)
Bust card with local contacts for Madison (PDF)
Milwaukee, WI 53202-5774